Documentation Guidelines

Students requesting accommodations must provide documentation from a qualified professional verifying their disability. The opinions and recommendations of a qualified professional will be carefully considered in developing a suitable accommodation plan. Temporary impairments are not commonly regarded as disabilities and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. IEPs and 504 Plans issued in high school are not sufficient documentation of a disability.

The University of Redlands' documentation needs are as follows:

Testing must be: no older than five years for learning disabilities, three years for ADD/ADHD, and mental health/psychological diagnoses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Evaluation clearly indicates a disability covered under ADA

Sufficient support claim disability

Evaluator is qualified to make the diagnosis

Documentation has: ED, Med, Dev. Hx.- relevant

Test scores are included - adult testing measures are required (e.g., WAIS vs. WISC - check with qualified professional, with the Office of Disability Services, or refer to documentation guidelines on Educational Testing Service's website, www.ets.org, and select the section on Students with Learning Disabilities.)

Documentation for support of accommodations

Explanation of why no prior accommodations

Learning Disabilities:

A student with a learning disability must provide current professional testing and evaluation results which reflect the individual's present level of processing information and present achievement level. Documentation verifying the learning disability must be prepared by a professional qualified to diagnose a learning disability, including but not limited to a licensed physician or learning disability specialist.

The documentation shall include the testing procedures followed, the instruments used to assess the disability (adult measures), the test results, and a written interpretation of the test results by the professional. The cost of obtaining verification from a qualified professional is the student's responsibility.

In the event that a student requests an accommodation that is not supported by the documentation, or if the initial verification is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability, then it is incumbent on the student to obtain supplemental testing or assessment at the student's expense.

Physical and Psychological Disabilities:

A student with a physical or psychological disability must provide verification certified by a licensed physician, audiologist, speech pathologist, physical therapist, rehabilitation counselor, or other professional health care provider who is qualified in the diagnosis of the disability. The verification must reflect the student's present level of functioning in the major life activity affected by the impairment. The cost of obtaining the professional verification is the student's responsibility.

In the event that a student requests an accommodation that is not supported by the documentation, or if the initial verification is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability, then it is incumbent on the student to obtain supplemental testing or assessment at the student's expense.